Remembrance Sunday: Communities in Dewsbury, Batley, Mirfield and the Spen Valley set to gather to pay their respects to the fallen

Events will take place in Dewsbury, Batley, Mirfield and around the Spen Valley to remember those who gave their lives in both world wars and more recent conflicts.

Mayor of Kirklees, Coun Karen Allison, said: “Each November, communities across Kirklees come together to remember all those who have served and sacrificed in times of war and conflict, and to honour the families whose lives have also been shaped by that service.

“Remembrance gives us an opportunity to pause, reflect and give thanks for the courage shown by generations past.

“It is also a chance to recognise the values they stood for, including service, duty and compassion, and consider how those values continue to guide us today.

“I encourage residents from across our district to join us at this year's services and parades as we remember the fallen, honour those who served, and reaffirm our shared commitment to peace for future generations.”

In Dewsbury, the Service of Remembrance will be held at Dewsbury Minster on Sunday, November 8 at 10.30am.

The parade will begin from Dewsbury Town Hall at 10.20am, re-form after the service at approximately 11.20am and then return to the Memorial Gardens on Longcauseway for a wreath-laying ceremony.

The Deputy Mayor of Kirklees will address the parade.

To support the safe running of the parade, several roads will be closed.

Town Hall Way (from Wakefield Old Road to Longcauseway) and Longcauseway (from Wakefield Old Road to Vicarage Road/Rishworth Road) will be closed from 8am until 1pm.

Vicarage Road (from Rishworth Road to Aldams Road/Savile Road) will be closed from 10am until 12.15pm.

In Mirfield, the annual Remembrance Parade, known as the biggest of its kind outside of London, will take place on Sunday, November 8.

The parade will set off from Lowlands Road at 2pm to Ings Grove Park for a service of remembrance and wreath laying, followed by a march back.

Those taking part in the parade should form up from 1.30pm and cars are asked to be moved from Lowlands Road and the high street to allow the police to ensure the route is clear.

Mirfield Town Council posted on Facebook: “This Sunday all of Mirfield comes together to pay tribute to the sacrifice of all those who served, and continue to serve, in HM Armed Forces.

“The annual Remembrance Parade is a truly moving community event in the Town’s calendar and demonstrates the strength of support and feeling for our service personnel.”

In Cleckheaton, the annual schools’ Armistice service will be held in the Memorial Park, on Greenside, on Friday, November 6 at 10.45am. More than 300 pupils from schools in the Spen Valley will be attending the service, which includes wreath-laying and a minute’s silence.

David Walker, secretary of the Spenborough branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “It’s an emotional day. There are always lots of children there and they are so well behaved, it’s remarkable.”

Cleckheaton’s Remembrance parade will take place on Sunday, November 8.

Emley Band will play outside the town hall from 2pm until 2.30pm before leading the parade to the Memorial Park for the Remembrance service which will feature hymns, wreath-laying and a two-minute silence.

David said: “We would like all ex-servicemen and women to come along and join in the parade. The parade is for them.”

There will be no parade in Batley on Remembrance Sunday this year, but the town’s branch of the Royal British Legion has confirmed that the annual Remembrance service will still take place.

People are asked to arrive in the Memorial Garden, above the Market Place, at 10.20am for the service, which will begin at 10.45am.

In Birstall, the Remembrance Sunday parade will march off from outside the library, on Market Street, at 2pm. It will then make its way to St Peter’s Church for the annual Remembrance service, followed by wreath-laying in the graveyard.